2021 POTD Thread Archive

You probably don't remember, but I bought a used CNC plasma system a few months ago. Since then, and until today, I only had the chance to clean it and ensure it was level, square and parallel. Anyway, I got my butt kicked, but I think I have a better handle on it. I used Inkscape to create what I thought was a simple welcome sign - text only, but with inside and outside cuts. I assume it exceeded the number of lines of Mach 3's Demo G-code because I couldn't get it to complete the cut. Additionally, I had the speed too fast and the amps too low, but this was my first time with a plasma cutter and CNC. So I created a small star in Inkscape, slowed the speed, and increased the amps, and it worked fine. Believing I'm going to like this stuff, I ordered the torch height controller. The unit comes with software that replaces Mach 3, so I talked myself into spending the extra money on the THC because I was saving on buying Mach 3 :grin:. I have a steep learning curve but it's fun. At present, I'm tinkering with FreeCAD, Inkscape and I bought SheetCam when I first got the unit.
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Well, my joke about the white elephant, come back to bite me. Yesterday while working on the little niva, i notice this rust bucket of E class mercedes. First thought some visiting one of the neighbors, today is still here. My brother come just as i was getting the tools to continue working on the little niva and throw me a key. I ask him which one did you brake, Hmm No: 1 and 3. What, No 1 has almost no clutch and i've got a real elephant and it's white. I immediately thought of the rust bucket out side, is it the one outside. Yep it's the one outside i told him to take it back, but i have the feeling its going to stay. I'll have to inspect it better but from the first looks it's leaking lots of engine oil around the turbocharger, it has yellowish paint in places wich is telling me it was a german taxi. I'll drive it and get it over the inspection pit tomorrow but i'm getting the feeling i'll be saving it also.
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Finishing touches on a Singer 306, Automatic Swing-Needle machine. I’ve been fooling with this for a couple months now and after straightening the bent arm shaft, rebuilding the smashed motor case, bushing the wallowed-out drive pulley, retiming the entire needle and power strokes among other things, and the light shade was missing! Good grief! Lights aren’t that expensive but hey, if you’ve got the tools.

I patterned the new shade after a slightly older style from Singer but I’ve actually always liked the clean looks of it and while it needed to be curved at least the curves weren’t compound. I could do this. Making a pattern for sheet metal always seems to generate bench carnage….

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I had some medium weight aluminum scrap that made a good donor. Jeweller’s saw with a 2/0 blade worked great….

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After rolling over the three hems I walked it down the shop to a bit of pipe for a bending stake. I was mildly worried that I’d kink it somewhere but luck was on my side and I did okay….

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The fixture itself is held together (the two halves can be separated to wire it) with fairly skookum circular springs which also serve to clamp the shade on. Of course one was missing, sigh, but I scared up a scavenged spring from somewhere that was close enough. In actuality it was fine with just the one spring but hey, I’d come this far…

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And the final reveal. Nice and clean, puts the light down to where it’s needed but not in the operator’s eyes. Thanks for looking!

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-frank
 
francist said:
Finishing touches on a Singer 306, Automatic Swing-Needle machine. I’ve been fooling with this for a couple months now and after straightening the bent arm shaft, rebuilding the smashed motor case, bushing the wallowed-out drive pulley, retiming the entire needle and power strokes among other things, and the light shade was missing! Good grief! Lights aren’t that expensive but hey, if you’ve got the tools.

I patterned the new shade after a slightly older style from Singer but I’ve actually always liked the clean looks of it and while it needed to be curved at least the curves weren’t compound. I could do this. Making a pattern for sheet metal always seems to generate bench carnage….

View attachment 383989

I had some medium weight aluminum scrap that made a good donor. Jeweller’s saw with a 2/0 blade worked great….

View attachment 383990

After rolling over the three hems I walked it down the shop to a bit of pipe for a bending stake. I was mildly worried that I’d kink it somewhere but luck was on my side and I did okay….

View attachment 383991

The fixture itself is held together (the two halves can be separated to wire it) with fairly skookum circular springs which also serve to clamp the shade on. Of course one was missing, sigh, but I scared up a scavenged spring from somewhere that was close enough. In actuality it was fine with just the one spring but hey, I’d come this far…

View attachment 383992

And the final reveal. Nice and clean, puts the light down to where it’s needed but not in the operator’s eyes. Thanks for looking!

View attachment 383993
View attachment 383994

-frank
Click to expand...
You sir, are an artist and a craftsman. I love looking at your projects!
 
Incredible work as always Frank. Great save

Greg
 
Hydrolic quick connect assist tool...

Our very old Bobcat 825 has the connections for attachment in a not so good spot.

We made protector shield as a first part many years ago and it protects the hoses well but results are quick connects aren't due to cannot grip the ring.

Used a screwdriver or stick to push and hold but royal pain

Yesterday we decided it was enough.

Found a chunk of thick walled aluminum tube/pipe that was just enough larger od and thick enough wall to make a tool.

Cut a check about 2 inches long then faced the ends.

Bored in one end until the female quick connect fit in.

Placed it in the mill and cut off 1/2 so it can fit from the side.

Found a small bar and with a 1 1/4 end mill radius cut the end to have almost perfect fit, tube is 1 1/2 OD so the interface is on the sides of the bar so no wobble.

Drilled 8 x 32 x 3/4 screws and it fits good and tight.

Slips on and slides the ring easy, should have made one years ago...

Sorry, no photos of creation as we were winging it as we went, no drawings, just looked for materials and from scrap came idea to product.



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Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk
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Red would not do…

Before:

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After… waiting for the base to dry before I put it together… Needs new bolts (so all 4 match) for the jaws and it is missing one of the securing pins…

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I did not polished the sides of the vise next to the jaws, because, as you can see in the photo, one of the bottom section is broken…
 
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